F. Dale Bethel, 89 of Parshall Avenue, St. Clairsville died Monday, July 21, 2003 at Wheeling Hospital. He was born near Flushing, Ohio on December 28, 1913 a son of the late Otis and Mary Craig Bethel.

Dale was a school teacher in the Portsmouth and Bellaire School Districts retiring after 39 years. He then worked as a substitute teacher for an additional ten years in the Union Local, Shadyside and St. Clairsville School Districts. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church at St. Clairsville where he served as an Elder and Sunday School Superintendent. Dale served four terms on the St. Clairsville City Council and four years as director of the Ohio Retired Teachers Assoc. and was a former chairman of the board of St. Clairsville Union Cemetery Assoc.. He served two terms as president of the AARP and was a former member of the St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Floy Rinkes and Mildred Morris.

Dale is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth "Libby" Pitzer Bethel; two daughters, Patty Stegall of Portsmouth, VA and Beverly Heddleson of Caldwell, OH; one son, Art Bethel of Fuquay Varina, NC; a brother, Craig Bethel of St. Clairsville; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Friends will be received on Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Toothman Funeral Home, St.Clairsville and Saturday from 10 a.m. to time of service at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Burial follows in Union Cemetery, St. Clairsville

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church or the American Heart Assoc.